Piriformis syndrome occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle. As discussed in a previous blog, “sciatica” is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This can cause symptoms in the buttock, posterior thigh and or lower leg and foot. Piriformis Muscle The pirifomis muscle is a small muscle located in…

Many people with chronic lower back experience low back stiffness in the morning after waking. This can occur for many reasons but it does beg the question, what is the best mattress for lower back pain? Back Pain and Mattress Selection A 2003 study published in the journal “The Lancet” investigated this topic. Subjects of the study…

It’s that time of year when we’re all out getting some last minute shopping in for our friends and loved ones. For this weeks blog, we thought we would help out with some gift ideas for the health conscious… Dual Purpose Hot and Cold Packs – These are always good to have around the house. …

Recently we came across an interesting paper published in the well known journal “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise” which investigated the loads imposed on our joints when using an elliptical exercise machine. Some of the more interesting results were as follows… Elliptical Machine, Stairclimber or Treadmill? In terms of cardiovascular exercise, an elliptical…

Dragon boat paddling has been known to cause lower back pain. In fact, rowing in general has been linked to lower back pain. But why? What specific lower back conditions are caused by these activities? Rowing and Lower Back Pain Two of the more common lower back injuries associated with paddling and rowing are lumbar disc herniation…

Ligaments help to protect our joints. Unlike muscles, they do not contract or expand. Instead, they offer passive support and limit the range of movement in a joint. Unfortunately, if the joint is forced beyond the normal range of motion, ligaments can be torn, often resulting in surgery and time away from activity. Common ligament…

Recently we spoke with a number of soccer coaches about exercises that are suitable for a pre-game warm-up. Below you will find a warm-up routine for young soccer players that we believe is an appropriate blend of evidence based principles and faithful practices that have been used for years. Should you have any questions or concerns please…

Last week we dispelled the myth that certain types of soccer cleats predispose you to ligament injuries in the knee. Given the time of year (and the fact that we have a certain passion for the game) we’re going to continue looking at injuries in soccer. How Common are Soccer Injuries? According to the literature,…

Custom Orthotics Custom foot orthotics are shoe inserts (similar to insoles) that are constructed from a mold of your foot. They are designed to stabilize and somewhat modify any problems with your feet so that you can treat or prevent various injuries. Keep in mind that these injuries don’t just have to be with your…